Mesmerising aarti at Assi Ghat
GOING to Varanasi and not immersing oneself in the surreal glow of the evening aarti at Assi Ghat would be an unforgivable oversight. What is this city — one of the oldest in the world — without its vibrant ghats, which vividly come alive during the evening rituals? These sacred ceremonies, attended by hundreds of people, including foreign tourists, encapsulate the city’s spiritual essence and cultural richness.
I visited Assi Ghat with my family on a serene Monday evening, and it was impossible not to be enveloped by its spiritual aura. As the evening sky transitions from hues of gold to deep black, the city springs to life. The ghat transforms into a luminous spectacle, radiating an aura of serenity and devotion. Awash with golden lights, it buzzes with activity as devotees and curious visitors take their places on the concrete stands or the steps leading to the river. Their eyes are fixed on the six young aarti performers, each positioned at measured distances, as they prepare for the mesmerising ritual.
The air is filled with the soft hum of bhajans, heightening the sense of anticipation. When the aarti begins, the performers, clad in a traditional crimson attire, move with grace and precision, their every gesture steeped in symbolism. The glowing brass lamps, with their multiple tiers of wicks, form hypnotic patterns as they sway in a circular motion, mirroring the ebb and flow of the sacred Ganga.
The synchrony of their movements is almost meditative, with the flames seeming to dance to the rhythm of their hands. Incense smoke rises in delicate spirals, adding a mystical haze to the scene, while the priests chant mantras that echo across the ghat. The Ganga reflects this enchanting spectacle, its rippling waters shimmering with a celestial glow, as if the river itself is a participant in this divine celebration. An illuminated cruise glides gracefully along the river, carrying tourists.
What makes the evening aarti at this ghat unforgettable is its ability to connect people from different walks of life. Whether it’s a devotee seeking spiritual solace, a tourist capturing the magic through his or her smartphone or a sceptic merely observing out of curiosity, the ceremony holds a universal appeal. It is a moment of unity — humans, nature and the divine harmonising in perfect rhythm.
The experience transcends mere ritual; it is a communion with the divine. For a moment, the boundary between the temporal and the eternal blurs. As the ceremony concludes, attendees often linger, offering prayers, lighting diyas or simply absorbing the lingering energy of the ritual.
In that moment, Varanasi is not just a city — it is a portal to the sublime, a timeless bridge between the mortal and the divine. To witness the aarti is to truly feel the heartbeat of this ancient city, to be part of a legacy that stretches back through millennia, linking the past, the present and eternity.
